Rating and value of Orientalist drawings

If you own an Orientalist drawing and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can offer you their expertise. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your object, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Then, if you wish to sell your painting, we'll guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the optimum price. The price of a drawing can vary widely, depending on the artist's identity, the state of conservation, the school of painting and the subject depicted.

Rating and value of an Orientalist drawing

Orientalist drawings are often presented at auction. The price at which they sell on the art and auction market ranges from €10 to €31,000, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to your drawings. Their value has risen sharply in recent years. In 2013, a study drawing by Eugène Delacroix entitled Étude d'arabes (Study of Arabs) sold for €31,000, whereas its estimate was between €20,000 and €25,000.

Order of value from the simplest, unidentified design to the most prestigious

Reasons to have an Orientalist drawing appraised at auction

If you own an Orientalist drawing, you may be unaware of its value. Indeed, even if the drawing is unsigned, it is possible in some cases to identify the artist. If it's listed on the auction market, then the price could rise very quickly. It is also possible that the artist is not identifiable, and that only the school of the drawing is known.

Defining Orientalist painting

Works described as Orientalist can be found in a variety of pictorial styles. Orientalism is not in fact a pictorial trend, but rather a cultural and iconographic inspiration from the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. Some painters, such as Jacques Majorelle in Côte d'Ivoire, are also known as orientalists, having painted with inspiration from other African countries. Most painters described as Orientalists are associated with a particular pictorial movement, such as Delacroix with Romanticism.

The importance of drawing in 19th- and 20th-century art

Drawing played an essential role in the evolution of art in the 19th and 20th centuries. During the 19th century, with the advent of academism, drawing was considered the fundamental basis of all works of art. Artists of this era, such as Delacroix, honed their drawing skills to create harmonious, realistic compositions. In the 20th century, drawing took on a whole new dimension with the advent of artistic movements such as Cubism and Surrealism. Artists such as Pablo Picasso went on to revolutionize drawing by deconstructing it and exploring new forms of expression. In short, drawing was and remains a central pillar of art in the 19th and 20th centuries, making a significant contribution to the evolution of artistic movements and the individual expression of the artists of those eras.

The success of Orientalist artists at auction

The success of Orientalist artists at auction testifies to the enduring appeal of these works, which capture the Western fascination with the Orient in the 19th century. Orientalist painters, such as Jean-Léon Gérôme and Eugène Delacroix, created works that transported viewers into exotic and mysterious worlds, reflecting the curiosity and infatuation with the Orient of the time. Today, these paintings still generate considerable interest on the art market, partly because of their striking aesthetics, but also because they offer a window onto a period in history when Eastern cultures and civilizations were poorly understood in the West. Collectors and art lovers appreciate these works for their beauty, cultural richness and historical significance, resulting in high prices at auction and a continuing demand for renowned Orientalist painters.

Knowing the true value of your design  

If you happen to own an Orientalist drawing, or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your drawing, as well as any relevant information. If you wish to sell your product, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.